The VISES of Garage Journal

[Outlawmws]

I did come home with a vise. Ca. 1914 Bonney "Champion" No. 112 (1-1/2" jaws).

Nice!

Other than the slide shape, very similar to the Colton patent vises in styling.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Other than the slide shape, very similar to the Colton patent vises in styling.

They are similar.

This is my second Bonney "Champion," the other being a No. 122 3-incher. Three total, with the third being a No. 830 "Garage Vise" with horn jaw inserts. All of them from the "Princeton" logo era.

 

[micahd1997]

It isn’t often that I have the pleasure of introducing something truly “new” to the world of American vises - something that, until very recently, has never seen the light of day in this digital age.

Four, double-sided, 1950s vise signs made by the Athol Machine & Foundry Co. These came directly from the gentleman whose father worked at the LS Starrett Co as a stationary fireman (i.e. a boiler operator) from 1951-1970. These signs are four of sixteen that he saved from extinction while visiting his father at work while Starrett was piling up and scrapping obsolete inventory.

The Athol/Starrett wooden vise patterns came from a completely different source but, as luck would have it, only a few days earlier.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

^^^Well damn Micahd.....awesome finds there!

 

[micahd1997]

^^^Well damn Micahd.....awesome finds there!

Thanks, Oregon! Pretty amazing to have them all together.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Four, double-sided, 1950s vise signs made by the Athol Machine & Foundry Co.

Athol/Starrett wooden vise patterns

Staged beautifully together! Is that your place? Looks like a loft in a converted factory building.

 

[micahd1997]

Staged beautifully together! Is that your place? Looks like a loft in a converted factory building.

Thanks a bunch, Private. Unfortunately not my place, but thankfully only about 30 minutes from me. The building is an old cotton mill, most of which has been turned into a wedding venue.

 

[SoCal Vise]

Just picked up this pre-Desmond-Stephan Simplex Tool Co. 42CP Coachmaker. 1923-1931 according to the internet. Wonder how much rarer these Woonsocket vises are (I’m more of a Wilton/Reed guy).

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

It isn’t often that I have the pleasure of introducing something truly “new” to the world of American vises - something that, until very recently, has never seen the light of day in this digital age.

Four, double-sided, 1950s vise signs made by the Athol Machine & Foundry Co. These came directly from the gentleman whose father worked at the LS Starrett Co as a stationary fireman (i.e. a boiler operator) from 1951-1970. These signs are four of sixteen that he saved from extinction while visiting his father at work while Starrett was piling up and scrapping obsolete inventory.

The Athol/Starrett wooden vise patterns came from a completely different source but, as luck would have it, only a few days earlier.

I think someone on another site (maybe bvf?) demanded to know who bought those. Great score!

 

[MongoTA]

These came directly from the gentleman whose father worked at the LS Starrett Co as a stationary fireman (i.e. a boiler operator) from 1951-1970.

Impressive! I was just in Athol. The two Emmert turtlebacks I picked up last week came from an auction at LS Starrett in Athol.

 

[micahd1997]

demanded to know who bought those. Great score!

Thanks a bunch! Yes, I wanted to keep it quiet until I received them.

Impressive! I was just in Athol. The two Emmert turtlebacks I picked up last week came from an auction at LS Starrett in Athol.

Thanks, Mongo! Wow, that’s so neat. Were they NOS?

 

[CRSINMICH]

SoCal: Your vise is fairly rare. Here is a 1936 catalog page showing Simplex vises even though it had become Desmond Stephan by 1932.

They were solidly built vises

​

 

[MongoTA]

Thanks, Mongo! Wow, that’s so neat. Were they NOS?

No, both Emmerts had been in service. One is complete and just needed some light cleaning, the other is missing a few minor pieces but functional. No broken castings on either.

 

[Edm152]

Can any one identify this oval slide w/ 3-1/2" jaw; 6" open'g.? Chas. Parker? Age? Value? more info i.e catalog?
Thanks, Edmund.

 

[Outlawmws]

Can any one identify this oval slide w/ 3-1/2" jaw; 6" open'g.? Chas. Parker? Age? Value? more info i.e catalog?
Thanks, Edmund.

I believe I see the outline of the Parker Jaw, (can you get a pic with less rust?) the main screw retainer looks Early Parker to me, is the last No 14 or 44? (I don't think its 11)

Parker made unlabeled vises for other sellers, so may be why no makers name.

 

[twagler]

Another "help identify this vise" request. This rather rusty vise is for sale locally and there is only this one picture available. The key identifying characteristics of this vise, at least to my eyes, is the mounting system. It looks like it has a separate toothed/serrated baseplate with a bolt hole at each corner that would be bolted down to the bench. Then it looks like the center bolt could be loosened and the vise body could be lifted and swiveled to different orientations and then tightened back down. Is anyone familiar with style of mounting and specific manufacturers/model numbers?
Thanks, Tom

 

[micahd1997]

Another "help identify this vise" request. This rather rusty vise is for sale locally and there is only this one picture available. The key identifying characteristics of this vise, at least to my eyes, is the mounting system. It looks like it has a separate toothed/serrated baseplate with a bolt hole at each corner that would be bolted down to the bench. Then it looks like the center bolt could be loosened and the vise body could be lifted and swiveled to different orientations and then tightened back down. Is anyone familiar with style of mounting and specific manufacturers/model numbers?
Thanks, Tom

Definitely a Reed IMHO

 

[Edm152]

I believe I see the outline of the Parker Jaw, (can you get a pic with less rust?) the main screw retainer looks Early Parker to me, is the last No 14 or 44? (I don't think its 11)

Parker made unlabeled vises for other sellers, so may be why no makers name.

Thanks for the reply. I've got it in a vinegar soak now to de-rust. The retainer nos are "11.22.44". Also, I've seen some similar "Parker" oval slide types with a fixed nut in the shaft tunnel, mine has a removable nut that drops out of the bottom when the screw is removed. I'll post some additional pic after the vinegar bath.

 

[PghJKB]

I believe I see the outline of the Parker Jaw, (can you get a pic with less rust?) the main screw retainer looks Early Parker to me, is the last No 14 or 44? (I don't think its 11)

Parker made unlabeled vises for other sellers, so may be why no makers name.

Outlawmws:

I believe you are correct in identifying this as a Parker manufactured vise. However, I believe it was sold by Sargent. Parker's "oval" slide vises were numbered in the thirties - 030, 30, 31, ... .Sargent's in the sixties.

Here is a GJ thread that follows Sargent vises. There is an excellent post by Shiftless explaining.

vintage Sargent & Co bench vise

i have a vintage sargent & co bench vise looking to see what its possibly worth.

www.garagejournal.com

The rather silly 11-22-44 on the nose is also a giveaway. OK, it may not be silly, but why 11-22-44?

JKB

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If you search this thread on "Parker oval" you'll see a No. 31 (@mikedodge) and a No. 34 (mine) and catalog pages, (and probably others that I am not aware of), but I'm officially much more on the fence than I was on your vintage board thread. That retaining collar looks Parkerish, and that's where Parker put patent numbers and, later, "PARKER," but "11.22.44" is not a patent date. Neither November 22, 1844 or November 22, 1944 (which seems very late for this style vise anyway) were Tuesdays. I'll be interested in seeing what others have to say.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Oh, I was composing when @PghJKB was posting. Good stuff.

 

[Shiftless]

Another "help identify this vise" request. This rather rusty vise is for sale locally and there is only this one picture available. The key identifying characteristics of this vise, at least to my eyes, is the mounting system. It looks like it has a separate toothed/serrated baseplate with a bolt hole at each corner that would be bolted down to the bench. Then it looks like the center bolt could be loosened and the vise body could be lifted and swiveled to different orientations and then tightened back down. Is anyone familiar with style of mounting and specific manufacturers/model numbers?
Thanks, Tom

Yep
I agree with micahd1997 who identified your mystery vise as a Reed.
About 10 years ago, I found one of that series in a dumpster parked on the street near my house. Unfortunately the big wing nut that goes underneath the bench was missing. That’s a very common problem. I bet guys used to use hammers to tighten and loosen them which of course would snap the cast iron wings off and ruin the piece.
Mine is a combination vise and strangely enough, the pipe jaws are still present. Those are other things that are often removed and lost by previous owners/users of these old vises.

 

[SoCal Vise]

SoCal: Your vise is fairly rare. Here is a 1936 catalog page showing Simplex vises even though it had become Desmond Stephan by 1932.

They were solidly built vises

​

Thanks! Good info. Did a double take when I saw “Woon” on the side. Thought they were always Desmond Stephan out of Urbana.

 

[Beerhippie]

but why 11-22-44?

November 22, 1944?

 

[Outlawmws]

November 22, 1944?

Long after the vise was made.

And 11/22/1844 is before Parker existed...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

And it's not a Tuesday.

 

[Edm152]

Thanks for the reply. I've got it in a vinegar soak now to de-rust. The retainer nos are "11.22.44". Also, I've seen some similar "Parker" oval slide types with a fixed nut in the shaft tunnel, mine has a removable nut that drops out of the bottom when the screw is removed. I'll post some additional pic after the vinegar bath.

So, now out of the vinegar bath and cleaned up a bit, and lo and behold, stress cracks in the likely places in the casting at the base of the fixed jaw - see photos. I didn't see through the rust... Who knew you need to carry a jeweler's loupe or magniflux to a yard sale.. Oh well, I guess I lost my $3 gamble... On to plan B. The screw, nut and moveable jaw seems to be in good condition - see pics...so, if anyone has a Chas. Parker manufactured [Sargent Mod. 63 ] oval slide vise needing these parts, let me know.

 

[four.cycle]

Second opinion request please:
Charles Parker "Eclipse" 954 4-inch jaw, stationary bench vise. Catalog says 46 pounds, 6.5" throat.
Asking price $225. Driving distance 160 miles round trip. ( ± $65 in fuel costs)
Appears to be in decent shape, but only one photo available.
Yea? Nay?

(Now that I've typed that out and looked at it, I'm wondering if I've lost my mind, unless there is something really special about these.)

 

[micahd1997]

Second opinion request please:
Charles Parker "Eclipse" 954 4-inch jaw, stationary bench vise. Catalog says 46 pounds, 6.5" throat.
Asking price $225. Driving distance 160 miles round trip. ( ± $65 in fuel costs)
Appears to be in decent shape, but only one photo available.
Yea? Nay?

My personal opinion is that with no base, $225 seems high. If I were in your shoes, I might let them know how far you’re driving for it and ask if they could do $150-$175

 

[Beerhippie]

My personal opinion is that with no base

Sure looks like a fixed base to me--three holes and all.

 

[four.cycle]

??? the 954 catalog illustration does not show any base

 

[Shiftless]

Parker made the Eclipse line of vises to compete with other brands who sold their vises for less money. If I didn't have much else to do and wanted an excuse to take a drive, I’d pick it up. I have some regular Parkers in my collection but no Eclipses. But for me, I wouldn’t make that long of a drive and pay that price just to get one.

 

[micahd1997]

Sure looks like a fixed base to me--three holes and all.

the 954 catalog illustration does not show any base

Thank you both for correcting me…I obviously didn’t look close enough

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm in the "too much $$$ and too far away" crowd.

Unless you are desperate for that size and config of vise... but for most of us here...

 

[CRSINMICH]

four cycle, micahd, et al.

It looks like everyone was right about Parker 954 (old 104) vises.
There was a conversion kit. Who knew?

​

​

 

[SkyPuncher]

Recently brought home a few vises. This one is very similar to Edm152's vise (including the stress cracks). It has the screw retainer of a Parker, but the only #0 I can find listed is a Wilson oval slide. Mount also looks like a Wilson. Nut can be removed from the under side. No additional markings on the vise. Notice here recently there's been a few Original Coors fans too!

 

[Edm152]

SkyPuncher, nice to know I have some company. I have been thinking about the break and forces applied. Note the Parker mounting is solely to the top surface of the bench, while the Parker clones (my Sargent and your Wilson) are mounted to bench top at rear and bench front edge - a 90degree bend. Assuming the bench face attachment and rear attachment are not perpendicular (less than 90degrees), simply by tightly fastening the vise down to the bench could stress the casting and produce the break at that place. My guess is there may be quite a few clones with this same casting failure.

 

[SkyPuncher]

Edm152, good point. Not sure about yours, but on mine, it does not rest completely flat due to the screw not being perfectly smooth with the body. It is very slight, but making a small "cut out" on the bench where screw is would help.

 

[Edm152]

Indeed. Although the vintage value is $0, i cant help to think i want to put it to use in some way.

 

[Edm152]

that bump on the nut may be intentional to hold the nut firmly in its seat.